Question 1

Today's adults are taller and heavier than those of a century ago. The differences between these generational groups illustrate the impact of

Accepted Answer

The increase in height and weight in today's adults compared to those of a century ago is primarily due to improvements in nutrition.

Question 2

Because Marla is the first girl in her fourth-grade class to sexually mature, she is sometimes teased and rejected by her classmates. Marla's sense of social isolation and embarrassment result from the interaction of

Accepted Answer

Marla's experience is a result of both nature (her early maturation) and nurture (the teasing and rejection from her classmates), showing the interaction between the two. The other choices are not directly relevant to this scenario.

Question 3

Genetic influences on personality traits are most clearly highlighted by comparing ________ with ________.

Accepted Answer

The best way to study genetic influences on personality is by comparing identical twins raised together with fraternal twins raised together. This helps to control for environmental factors as both sets of twins are raised in similar environments, but only identical twins share 100% of their genetic material while fraternal twins share on average 50% of their genes. However, the other options in the question also involve comparing twins raised apart which can also help to control for environmental factors, but the comparison of identical twins raised together with fraternal twins raised together is considered the most valid way to study genetic influences on personality.

Question 4

If a genetic predisposition to fear darkness contributes to reproductive success, that trait will likely be passed on to subsequent generations. This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes natural selection, where a genetic trait that increases the chances of reproductive success (in this case, fear of darkness) is more likely to be passed on to future generations. This process would result in the gradual evolution of certain traits within a population over time.

Question 5

Epigenetics is the study of environmental influences on ______ that occur without a DNA change.

Accepted Answer

Epigenetics is concerned with changes in gene expression that occur without a change in DNA sequence, and are influenced by environmental factors such as diet, stress, and exposure to toxins. Gene expression refers to the process by which the information encoded in a gene is used to synthesize a functional protein or other molecule, and can be regulated by a variety of factors that affect how genetic information is transcribed and translated into proteins. Brain plasticity, sex hormones, and natural selection may all be influenced by epigenetic factors, but are not the primary focus of this field of research.

Question 6

Evolutionary psychologists emphasize that environmentally adaptive behaviors are those that have promoted

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists focus on how behaviors have evolved over time through natural selection, with the ultimate goal of promoting an individual's reproductive success. This means that behaviors that have helped individuals survive and reproduce in their specific environment are considered adaptive. Personal happiness and cultural diversity may be related to adaptive behaviors, but they are not the primary focus of evolutionary psychology. Brain plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt, but it is not directly related to adaptive behaviors in the same way as reproductive success.

Question 7

The impact of genes on observable traits can vary in different environments. Thus, genes are said to be

Accepted Answer

Genes are described as self-regulating because their expression can change in response to different environmental conditions, affecting observable traits.

Question 8

Adoptive parents are most likely to influence the ________ of their adopted children.

Accepted Answer

Adoptive parents can influence the political attitudes of their adopted children through the environment and values they provide, whereas personality traits, extraversion, and genome are more influenced by genetics and biological factors.

Question 9

Which of the following would likely prevent DNA from producing the proteins coded by a gene?

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic molecules can modify the DNA molecule itself or associated proteins that allow or prevent gene expression. Therefore, they can prevent DNA from producing the proteins coded by a gene. Neurotransmitters, positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging do not directly affect gene expression.

Question 10

Identical twins separated at birth and raised in completely different home environments would be most likely to have similar

Accepted Answer

Personality traits are affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Studies on twins separated at birth have shown that they often have similar personalities, suggesting that genetics play a significant role. However, the different environments they were raised in would also have some impact on their personalities. Therefore, while it is possible that they may share some moral values, religious beliefs, or political attitudes, it is less likely than they would have similar personalities.

Question 11

Adopted children grow up to be

Accepted Answer

Adopted children often develop a strong sense of empathy and self-giving due to their unique life experiences and the nurturing environments provided by adoptive families.

Question 12

Identical twins reared apart have ________ similar personalities than identical twins reared together and ________ similar personalities than fraternal twins reared apart.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identical twins reared apart have ________ similar...

Question 13

Our selective exposure to those life experiences that are best suited to our unique personality traits best illustrates the interaction of

Accepted Answer

Selective exposure, or the tendency to seek out and choose experiences that align with our personality traits, is a result of the interaction between nature (our innate personality traits) and nurture (our learned experiences and environments). The other options listed are not directly related to the phenomenon of selective exposure.

Question 14

The prevalence of genetically predisposed traits that have a reproductive advantage is best explained in terms of

Accepted Answer

Genetically predisposed traits that have a reproductive advantage are more likely to be passed down to future generations through natural selection. This means that individuals who possess these traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to their offspring.

Question 15

Environmental factors such as diet, drugs, or stress can alter gene expression by affecting

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic molecules include DNA methylation and histone modification, which can be influenced by environmental factors and lead to changes in gene expression. Neurogenesis (A) refers to the production of new neurons and is not directly related to altered gene expression. Lateralization (B) refers to the specialization of brain regions for different functions, which is largely determined by genetics rather than environmental factors. Natural selection (D) refers to the process by which certain traits become more prevalent in a population due to better survival and reproduction, and is not directly related to altered gene expression.

Question 16

Evolutionary psychology would be most helpful for understanding the ________ human aggression.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology focuses on how behaviors evolved over time to increase reproductive success. Aggression can be seen as a behavior that in some situations may increase an individual's chances of reproductive success, such as when competing for a mate or resources. Therefore, understanding the reproductive advantages of aggression would be an important aspect of evolutionary psychology's approach to studying human aggression.

Question 17

Charles Darwin advanced the principle of

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin is known for his theory of natural selection, which explains how species evolve and adapt to their environments over time.

Question 18

Studies of identical twins who had been reared apart has most clearly increased scientific appreciation for the importance of ________ in personality development.

Accepted Answer

Studies of identical twins who were reared apart have shown that despite growing up in different environments, they have striking similarities in personality and temperament, providing strong evidence for the role of genetic influences in personality development.

Question 19

The diversity of human traits is most clearly enabled by our shared

Accepted Answer

Our adaptive capacity, or ability to adjust and change in response to environmental influences, allows for the development of diverse physical, behavioral, and cultural traits in different populations. This capacity is influenced by genetics, epigenetic factors, and environmental factors.

Question 20

The best reason to be cautious about attributing all the personality similarities of separated twins to genetic factors is that

Accepted Answer

Adoption agencies tend to place separated twins in similar homes, which could account for personality similarities. This makes it difficult to determine the extent to which genetics play a role in personality development. Other factors, such as shared environmental experiences and peer influence, could also contribute to similarities in personality between separated twins.

Quiz 3: Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind